Through his Twitter account late Monday evening, center prospect Nerlens Noel, considered the No. 1 basketball recruit in the Class of 2012, declared he would “shock the world.”

That probably won’t happen when he appears on national television Wednesday night, unless he announces his decision to join the Peace Corps rather than selecting a college where he’ll play ball next season.

A 6-11 center originally from Everett, Mass., Noel is planning to choose among Kentucky, Georgetown and Syracuse on an ESPNU program beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET.

During that same 90-minute program, 6-6 wing Shabazz Muhammad is planning to announce his choice of UCLA, Kentucky or Duke. They are the No. 1 and No. 2 prospects in high school basketball, and each could have a transformative effect on the 2012-13 NCAA season.

Noel attended the Tilton School in New Hampshire, where he decided this year to graduate in the spring and enter college this fall. Previously, he had been classified as a junior. Analysts at Scout.com immediately elevated Noel to the No. 1 position in the '12 class, ahead of Muhammad.

“On the defensive end, Noel is a game-changer,” Scout analyst Evan Daniels told Sporting News. “His ability to block shots and change others should have an impact on the college basketball game right away. From a shot blocking standpoint, he's comparable to Anthony Davis. Offensively he's growing and getting better, but his defense is why he's such a highly regarded prospect.

“Going forward, Noel needs to continue to develop ways to score in the post. He's certainly more confident in his offense, but he could certainly improve it.”

In Saturday night’s Nike Hoop Summit, Noel played 25 minutes for the United States at center and was a fearsome presence in the second half against the World team’s frontcourt, blocking four shots and picking up four steals that helped fuel a U.S. comeback.

“I think it’s a real good natural instinct,” Noel told Sporting News last summer, discussing his development as a defender. “I’ve always tried on defense to be a focal point for my team, just to anchor the defense on any team I play on. I think that could be the most valuable thing in winning a basketball game: Playing hard defense.”

Muhammad is widely admired by recruiting analysts for his energy and tenacity, which rarely abate. He played last summer in the adidas Super 64 tournament despite a strained ligament in his foot and, despite his standing with scouts and college coaches, still performed with more passion than most any participant in the event. He told Sporting News last summer he modeled his approach to the game on the way Kobe Bryant comports himself on the floor.

That’s true in terms of his love for the game and his willingness to play hard. It’s also true when it comes to his high-volume shooting.

Muhammad scored a record 35 points in the United States’ loss to the World team in the Nike Hoop Summit last weekend in Portland, but he attempted 27 shots in the game. It’s not necessarily a bad thing when the best player takes the most shots, but it can take some adjustment for the other players.

“What separates Muhammad from most freshmen is his approach and desire to be the best in everything he does,” Scout.com analyst Brian Snow said. “From the time he was a freshman, he has had one clear focus, and that is to be the best -- and his game has grown because of it.

“Offensively, he is especially gifted in the mid-range. He has a dynamic mid-post game and complements that with an incredible ability to create off the dribble using his strength and athleticism. He is a good, not great, jump shooter, and that has been a constant growth area for him over the course of his career.

“Will Shabazz Muhammad be Anthony Davis? Probably not, but he can no question put a team on his back and help them win a lot of games. He is a game-changer from day one, and should contend for all-league and All-American honors no matter which school he selects.”